Effects of Icariin on Improving Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Introduction Icariin has been shown to improve penile hemodynamics in animal models of erectile dysfunction from cavernous nerve injury and castration. The effects of icariin on penile hemodynamics in diabetic animals remain to be determined. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related erectile dysfunction. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of icariin in the penis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Methods Two-month-old Sprague–Dawley male rats received one-time intraperitoneal (IP) STZ (60 mg/kg) or vehicle injection after a 16-hour fast. Three days later, the STZ-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups and were treated with daily gavage feedings of a 50:50 mix of normal saline and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or icariin dissolved in DMSO at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg for 3 months. A positive control group underwent IP injection of saline followed by daily gavage of saline/DMSO solution. Treatment was stopped 1 week prior to functional assay and euthanasia. Main Outcome Measure Penile hemodynamics was assessed by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerves with real-time intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement. After euthanasia, penile tissue was studied using immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) and TGFβ1/Smad2 signaling pathway. Results Diabetes attenuated ICP response in control animals. Untreated diabetic animals had decreased smooth muscle/collagen ratio and endothelial cell content in the corpora cavernosa; treatment with icariin partially attenuating these effects. Icariin-treated animals also had a significantly greater expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-positive nerves and the endothelial cell markers, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM). TGFβ1/Smad2 signaling pathway was down-regulated in the penis from icariin-treated models relative to what was observed in negative control animals. Conclusion Icariin treatment preserved penile hemodynamics, smooth muscle and endothelial integrity, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in the penis of diabetic rats. Down-regulation of TGFβ1/Smad2 signaling pathway might mediate this effect.

An optimal establishment of an acute hyperglycemia zebrafish model

“…Type 1 diabetic animal models exist: the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, Nethyl-N-nitrosourea diabetes mouse, Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat, Zuker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat, and KK-ay mouse (Fenner et al, 2011;Galipeau et al, 2011;Gleeson et al, 2007;Hempe et al, 2011;Hu et al, 2011;Mikai et al, 2010;Yoshinari and Igarashi, 2011;Zhao et al, 2011). The model is induced when either alloxan or streptozotocin is administered to destroy the beta cells, resulting in hyperglycemia (Gohil et al, 2010;Hemalatha et al, 2010;Idan-Feldman et al, 2011;Lee et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2011;Ojezele and Abatan, 2011). Type 2 DM is generally characterized by the body's resistance to insulin.…”

Icariside II, a Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor, Attenuates Beta-Amyloid-Induced Cognitive Deficits via BDNF/TrkB/CREB Signaling

“…A series of studies have demonstrated that ICA improves cognitive impairments trough different mechanisms in diverse animal models with AD [8][9][10]. It is also reported that ICA is a cGMP-specific PDE 5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) through stimulation of nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway with selective inhibitory activity on PDE 5 in the penile cavernosum [11][12][13]. Our previous study has shown that ICA improves learning and memory ability in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by stimulating NO/cGMP signaling [14].…”

Sexual Enhancement Products for Sale Online: Raising Awareness of the Psychoactive Effects of Yohimbine, Maca, Horny Goat Weed, andGinkgo biloba

“…Although icariin has been shown to be efficacious in treatment of erectile dysfunction in aged [67], diabetic [68], and castrated [69] animal models, it has not been tested in any randomised clinical trial.…”